(95.04.21)黒河内大使ＮＰＴ再検討延長会議（第２委）

　 On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your assumption of the chairmanship of the Main Committee II of this historic Conference.

　 My delegation is confident that under your very able guidance our discussions in this Committee will be fruitful and will contribute significantly to the success of the Conference.

　 The Government of Japan recognizes that the NPT has played a vital role in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and in providing significant security benefits. However, among the parties to the NPT we have witnessed the refusal to accept the IAEA safeguards, and the attempt to develop and newly acquire nuclear weapons. This has necessitated a strengthening of the traditional NPT safeguards system.

　 Accordingly, the Government of Japan welcomes the decision of the IAEA Board of Governors taken in its February 1992 meeting, concerning the use of the special inspection, the early provision of design information, and the universal reporting system for nuclear materials, specified equipment and other non-nuclear materials. My delegation also appreciates the current effort of the IAEA to advance Programme 93+2 and supports the overall direction of the Programme. However, we are of the opinion that the action recommended by the Secretariat of the IAEA in the Board of Governors meeting last March requires further detailed discussion and consideration.

　 In this connection, I would like to emphasize the importance of giving serious consideration to measures to improve the efficiency of the system, taking into account the increase of nuclear facilities throughout the world, the financial constraints on the IAEA and also in view of the development of safeguard technologies.

　 The Government of Japan, for its part, has supported various research and development activities on safeguards through its Support Programme for Agency Safeguards, commonly referred to as JASPAS, in order to make the safeguards system more effective and efficient. We will continue to cooperate with the Agency in the belief that such cooperation between the IAEA and its Member States greatly contributes to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of safeguards implementation.

　 With respect to the implementation of safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, my Government regards it as extremely important that the Agreed Framework of October 21, 1994, between the United States and the DPRK be faithfully implemented. I hope that the countries concerned will continue to take the required actions in good faith, and that the DPRK will fully comply with its IAEA safeguards agreement. In this regard, Japan highly appreciates the Agency's efforts toward full implementation of the agreement, and looks forward to seeing the Agreed Framework carried out as envisaged, with the eventual full compliance of the DPRK.

　 At this stage, I would like to touch upon another issue of the great importance, and that is the peaceful uses of nuclear energy which we recognize, should be consonant with non-proliferation efforts.

　 Although I realize the question of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is the major theme of the Main Committee III, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance which the Government of Japan attaches to that topic.

　 Paragraph I of Article IV of the Treaty provides for the "inalienable right" of States Parties to the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Of relevance to this provision is the decision contained in the report of the Main Committee II of the Fourth Review Conference in 1990 which states that "each country's choices and decisions in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be respected without jeopardizing its respective fuel cycle policies." At the same time it cannot be overemphasized that the development and utilization of nuclear energy must go hand in hand with non-proliferation and safety measures.

　 In this connection, Japan is of the view that any nuclear fuel cycle program should be carried out under the IAEA Safeguards in accordance with the principles of not retaining surplus plutonium and of keeping the program as transparent as possible.

　 Although nuclear weapon States are not required to accept IAEA safeguards under the NPT regime, Japan believes that nuclear weapon States and non-nuclear weapon States should be on an equal footing in the realm of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. From this point of view, Japan welcomes the conclusion of the voluntary safeguards agreement by all nuclear weapon States and the acceptance of IAEA inspection at some of their nuclear facilities. Also, it is my county's position that serious consideration should be given to the principle that the same level of IAEA safeguards should be applied to all facilities for civilian uses in nuclear weapon States as are applied under the provision of the Treaty to the facilities in non-nuclear weapon States.

　 With regard to the universality of the NPT, Japan calls upon all States particularly those States which engage in significant nuclear activities, which have not yet acceded to the Treaty to do so as soon as possible. Japan also calls upon them to accept the full-scope safeguards and thereby dispel any doubt or suspicion which may be harbored by the international community regarding their motivations for staying outside the NPT regime.

　 I look forward to having the opportunity to express the views of my delegation on various questions during the course of our discussion. Let me conclude my remarks today with the assurance of our full cooperation with you, Mr. Chairman, as you discharge your important duties.